OWNERS of a popular village pub near Aberystwyth which was ravaged by a major fire have converted a horsebox into a mobile bar while they wait for renovation work to be completed.

Caitlin Morse and Lewis Johnston, who took over Y Ffarmers Arms pub in Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn last July, were left “shaken up” after fire ripped through the building seven months ago.

Work to rebuild the pub is about to begin and they hope to open the doors to customers in November.

In the meantime, the couple are “keeping the spirit of the pub alive” through The Crafty Mare, a horsebox which they bought and converted to a bar to attend functions and hold events.

Caitlin told the Cambrian News: “We are both really excited that building work is finally about to start. It’s been such a hard few months.

“There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes, but it’s going to be great to see builders in there at last.

“The village has felt so quiet and lost without the pub.

“Seeing work begin will lift everyone’s spirits.”

Caitlin said that there will be “a few subtle changes”, but the pub “will still look and feel like Y Ffarmers” and its nine staff members will all return.

“We should be open again by the end of November,” she said.

“All of the team will be coming back. Same chef, same waiting team, same kitchen team.

“We are blessed with having the most amazing and loyal members of staff. They are all Y Ffarmers through and through.”

She added: “An outside bar was something which we had talked about doing since we first met.

“Although it was the loss of the pub that gave us the push to do it now.”

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